Refinery29 is an American multinational digital media and entertainment website focused on young women owned by Vice Media. It was founded in 2005 by Justin Stefano, Philippe von Borries, Piera Gelardi, and Christene Barberich.
History
Justin Stefano, Philippe von Borries, Piera Gelardi, and Christene Barberich co-founded Refinery29 in 2005 as a city guide, emphasizing fashion local to New York City. The name of the website alludes to the website distilling information into its essence. The company headquarters is located in the Financial District, Manhattan neighborhood of New York City. Refinery29 has over 450 employees globally with offices in Los Angeles, London, and Berlin. In 2015, the company launched a UK edition at www.refinery29.uk and the following year in 2016, a German edition at www.refinery29.de. In 2016, Refinery29 announced it had raised $45 million in funding led by Turner. As of 2017, Refinery29 reaches an audience of over 500 million globally. On October 2, 2019, Vice Media, The Walt Disney Company, A&E Networks, TPG Capital, and James Murdoch ) announced that it would acquire Refinery29. The deal, worth a reported $400 million, values the combined company at $4 billion.
Charges of discrimination
In early June 2020, top editor and co-founder Christene Barberich stepped down after women of color and black employees and freelancers took to social media to tell stories of discrimination while working for Refinery29. A writer for the company wrote on Twitter, “I worked at Refinery29 for less than nine months due to a toxic company culture where white women’s egos ruled the near nonexistent editorial processes. One of the founders consistently confused myself and one of our full-time front desk associates & pay disparity was atrocious.” Barberich also faced criticism after a former employee recalled that Barberich once cried in a team meeting after being told she seemed "squeamish" when discussing race. It was stated Barberich had decided to go home earlier that day due to the confrontation. In Barberich's Instagram resignation post she said, “I’ve read and taken in the raw and personal accounts of Black women and women of color regarding their experiences inside our company at Refinery29 and, what’s clear from these experiences, is that R29 has to change. We have to do better, and that starts with making room. And, so I will be stepping aside in my role at R29 to help diversify our leadership in editorial and ensure this brand and the people it touches can spark a new defining chapter.” Refinery29 parent, Vice Media, launched an investigation into Refinery29's toxic work environment.
Content
Refinery29 produces editorial and video programming, live events, and social, shareable content delivered across major social media platforms, and covers a variety of categories including style, health, food, entertainment, careers, technology, news, politics, and more. In August 2018, Refinery29 made an official section for music journalism on their website. Although this official section was created in 2018, music writing on Refinery29 was widespread before this date. As early as 2013, Refinery29 published "The Best Music Blogs That Aren't Pitchfork," featuring other online music publications like The Fader, Obscure Sound and Earmilk. Refinery29 is known for the its series shows Try Living with Lucie and Lucie for Hire that are hosted by Lucie Fink. Refinery29 was listed three consecutive years on Crain's "Fast 50", has won seven Clio Awards, and seven Webby Awards. The company produces an annual pop-up exhibition, 29Rooms, where visitors commonly take self-portraits for sharing on Instagram. 29Rooms was launched in 2015 on Refinery29's 10-Year Anniversary.
